“It donated $1,000 to each candidate and spent an extra $16,089.60 on consultant fees to Ashland Partners of Louisiana, LLC, which is registered to Timothy Magner a former candidate for Caddo Parish Schools superintendent, and his wife, Johnette Magner .”

“[John Schmidt, Citizens for a Better Caddo treasurer,] insists the group is not attempting to have an undue influence in the school system.

‘”Before they endorsed any candidates, they vetted them. They interviewed each candidate and made sure they met the criteria they were looking for in a candidate. And that’s who they supported,’ he said.